instep

[ in-step ]

/ ˈɪnˌstɛp /

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noun

the arched upper surface of the human foot between the toes and the ankle.

the part of a shoe, stocking, etc., covering this surface.

the front of the hind leg of a horse, cow, etc., between the hock and the pastern joint; cannon.

QUIZ

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Origin of instep

1520–30; apparently in-¹ + step

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use instep in a sentence

This is a guy who has his son-in-law clean his eyeglasses, for crying out loud.
Will Chris Christie Regret His Cowboy Hug?|Matt Lewis|January 5, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Her travel clique has been known to arrive at an airport, bags packed, passport-in-hand, within hours of spotting a deal.
‘We Out Here’: Inside the New Black Travel Movement|Charlise Ferguson|January 4, 2015|DAILY BEAST
But Brooke was out of step with the New Left and its notion of radical chic.
Ed Brooke: The Senate's Civil Rights Pioneer and Prophet of a Post-Racial America|John Avlon|January 4, 2015|DAILY BEAST
In the 21st century women are earning their equality every step of the way… including the bedroom.
Career-Minded Women Turn to Male Escorts For No-Strings Fun and (Maybe) Sex|Aurora Snow|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST

Earl Spencer adds, “Effectively, my great-grandfather sold his children to his father-in-law.”
The Real-Life ‘Downton’ Millionairesses Who Changed Britain|Tim Teeman|December 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The bride elect rushes up to him, and so they both step down to the foot-lights.
Physiology of The Opera|John H. Swaby (AKA "Scrici")
But, when the car came thundering down, it was crammed to the step; with a melancholy gesture, the driver declined her signal.
Hilda Lessways|Arnold Bennett
Sol got up, slowly; took a backward step into the yard; filled his lungs, opened his mouth, made his eyes round.
The Bondboy|George W. (George Washington) Ogden
She was growing a little stout, but it did not seem to detract an iota from the grace of every step, pose, gesture.
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories|Kate Chopin
The sound of my step shall make your heart jump; a look from me shall make you dumb for an hour.
Checkmate|Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu

British Dictionary definitions for instep

instep

/ (ˈɪnˌstɛp) /

noun

the middle section of the human foot, forming the arch between the ankle and toes

the part of a shoe, stocking, etc, covering this

Word Origin for instep

C16: probably from in- ² + step

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with instep

in step

Moving to a rhythm or conforming to the movements of others, as in The kids marched in step to the music. [Late 1800s]

in step with. In conformity or harmony with, as in He was in step with the times. The antonym to both usages is out of step, as in They're out of step with the music, or His views are out of step with the board's. [Late 1800s] Also see in phase; out of phase.

instep

Origin of instep

Words related to instep

How to use instep in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for instep

Word Origin for instep

Other Idioms and Phrases with instep